Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th December 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Bill introduced to ban live animal exports
Charities including the RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming, and World Horse Welfare are supporting the bill.
The legislation has been welcomed by animal welfare charities.

The Government introduced legislation to Parliament yesterday (4 December 2023) that will ban the export of live animals from Great Britain for slaughter and fattening. 

If passed by Parliament, the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will apply to cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses. The ban formed part of the Government’s election manifesto.

No animals have officially been exported from Great Britain for slaughter since 31 December 2020. The new law will make the pause on exports permanent.

Live exports for other purposes, such as breeding and taking part in competitions, will still be permitted.

Environment secretary Steve Barclay said: “We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.
 
“This bill makes use of post-Brexit freedoms to strengthen these standards by preventing the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, which we know causes animals unnecessary stress and injury.”

The new legislation has been welcomed by animal welfare charities that have campaigned for a ban, including the RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming, and World Horse Welfare.

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: "We are delighted that the Government has introduced this bill and will put its muscle behind making it law. We know horses are being exported for slaughter 'under the radar' despite none being officially declared for this purpose.

“This bill will finally make it illegal, something we have been campaigning for since our charity’s foundation. We look forward to working with Defra to ensure that the right measures are put in place to enforce this hugely significant piece of legislation.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.